Dirk doesn’t sound like he wants to be an All-Star this season

When the All-Star reserves are announced Thursday night, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki doesn’t expect to be picked for the 11th consecutive season.

Nowitzki has struggled with injuries and conditioning this season, averaging 17.9 points per game. It’s his lowest scoring average since his rookie season in 1998-99.

His chance of making the team is also diminished by the strength of the position in the Western Conference. Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was chosen by fans as the starter. And young talent like Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, Utah’s Paul Millsap and Minnesota’s Kevin Love are likely more deserving selections.

“Averaging whatever, 15, 16 points, I don’t think you should be an All-Star,” Nowitzki told ESPN.com Dallas. “But we’ll just have to wait and see. I think there is a lot of great young talent in this league that deserves to go. I think LaMarcus Aldridge has been stiff the last couple of years. He’s a great young player, fun to watch. You know Blake and Love are playing great. There is a lot of talent at my position.”

With the demands of the compact lockout season, Nowitzki said resting over the All-Star break might be more beneficial for him than playing in the game.

“To me, it’s more about getting right again and getting my body back in rhythm and getting used to all the grinding and running and jumping again,” Nowitzki said. “I think that’s more important to me than an All-Star appearance at this point. Ultimately, (we want) to make a push after the All-Star break. That’s ultimately where my head is at here.”